Electrical cardioversion is a procedure used to treat atrial fibrillation, a common form of irregular heartbeat, by delivering a controlled electric shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. The procedure is performed under brief general anesthesia or deep sedation to ensure the patient does not feel pain during the shock delivery, and is typically performed when medications are not sufficient to normalize heart rhythm or when immediate rhythm control is necessary.
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Electrical cardioversion is a medical procedure that attempts to convert an abnormal heart rhythm, specifically atrial fibrillation, into a normal rhythm by delivering a targeted electric shock. This is done by applying electrode pads to the patient’s chest and back, through which a short electrical current is sent to “reset” the heart electrically.
Before cardioversion, the doctor usually performs a thorough examination, including an echocardiogram and blood tests, to ensure that there are no blood clots in the heart that could enter the bloodstream during the procedure. Patients are instructed to fast and may need to temporarily stop taking certain medications.
The procedure itself is not painful, as it is performed under brief general anesthesia or deep sedation. Patients are asleep during the shock, which means they do not feel pain and do not remember the procedure.
Although electrical cardioversion is generally considered safe, it carries risks like other medical procedures. These include possible skin burns at the electrode sites, the risk of blood clots despite prior testing, mild arrhythmias after the procedure, or reactions to the anesthesia.
After successful cardioversion, most patients can return to a normal heart rhythm, although they may need to continue taking medications to prevent recurrence of atrial fibrillation. It is important to have regular follow-up appointments with the doctor to monitor heart rhythm and further treat any underlying conditions.
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